Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-08-25

and never mind fellows that ask questions
| Of little girls''-a remark that was not lost
| upon his friends, for l was asked no more
questions.
Presently some of the passengers got out,
| and found a seat by the side of my young
| friend, who still was as kind and gentle as
at first, till felt had known him always,
and began to dread the time when he must
| go and would be left again alone with
those two stern, silent women.
But night cane on and still my friend and
his party were with us; the lamps were
lighted and their rays fell weirdly on the
faces about me. could see Mrs. Clayton
sitting bolt upright, the white plumes in her
hat nodding with the swaying motion of the
cars, and her eyes wide open, with no signs
of sleepiness about them, though most Of
the other passengers were in a state of
semi-drowsiness. Miss Armund sat bent
forward, her head on her breast, fast asleep
Even my young friend was nodding, and
felt my own eyes growing heavy and dull,
and almost before / knew it was sound
| asleep.
l awoke once, for an instant, and could
hardly recollect where was, but it came to
me soon Ny friend was still besitx me
and had placed an arm about me, or / should
have tumbled to the floor. He looked at me
now with qliet smile, and feeling reas-
sured again let my head droop against his
arms and fell fast asleep. Ihave often won
dered since then II no unseen spirit whis-
pered to him Of the part that the sleeping
child at his side should play in his life, or
how all their lives their fortunes should be
intermingled. Doubtless such thought
never crossed his mind. He was kind to the
friendless child from mere good-hearted-
ness, nothing more.
How long l slept do not know. / was
awakened by some one shaking me roughly
by the arm. / started up to find Miss Ar
mund standing over me looking, In the dim
uncertain light Of early dawn, moro grin
and ugly than ever. l was alone in the
seat. My young friend and his party were
all gone; they had left the train while /
slept learned afterwards that when no
must go he had called Miss Armund to
take his place, saying / was tired and
sleepy, and he disliked to wake me.
felt q strange loneliness and fear whenI
knew he was gone, but swallowed my feel
ings as best could and obediently followed
the ladies to a handsome carriage that stood
waiting for them and into which q servant
assisted US, and we were soon rolling rap
idly toward home, for as such | now desig-
mated 1t. After half an hours drive, we
arrived at what suppose was an entrance
way. A porter swung open a heavy iron
gate and the carriage swept up beautiful
avenue bordered with trees, and finally
stopped before the house, or mansion-a
massive pile of bricks surrounded on oil
sides by broad yerandah's or porticos. A
fight Of marble steps led up to the front
entrance, and the pillars supporting the
piazza were Of the finest and most delicate
specimens Of architecture.
We assembled the steps, and Mrs. CLAYTON
rang the bell A servant admitted US and
led the way to ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS sit
ting-room whore the ladies' removed their
wraps; but Mrs. Clayton gave mo in charge
Of domestic, who conducted me 10 pretty
room on the ground floor in the rear part Of
the house.
you're tired, MISS said the maid, kind
ly. "You can rest here till breakfast-time "
She removed my hat and sacque as she
spoke and then, showing me the bathroom
and toilet accessories, she left me alone.
bathed my face, combed and braided my
hair and brushed my teeth, as l had been
accustomed 10 do at the home, and then,
having nothing else TO do, drew chair to
the window and sat down to wait for the re-
appearance Of the maid. While sitting here
ray attention was drawn to two children,
boys, who were in company with large dog
racing up and down the lawn a short dis
lance from the house. One was a dark
faced lad Of perhaps twelve years. knew
at once that he was Mrs. Clayton's son, the
resemblance was so great But the other
child was much younger, not more than five
years old, and fair with light curling hair.
at must be they have no little girls
said to myself; ''that is the reason they
have adopted me-"
Just here the maid entered, brisljy.
Well, little miss, ready for BREAKFAST
she said, cheerily; "but, if you please, what
is your nameln
aQorcas Lynn" answered.